RB affirm Tsunoda Red Bull promotion 'mission'

RB CEO Peter Bayer has argued against the commonly-held belief that Yuki Tsunoda will not be considered for a promotion to Red Bull.

Amid Sergio Perez's slump in form, it appeared the joint Milton Keynes-Faenza squads were readying themselves for a driver line-up change.

However, despite Tsunoda's strong campaign thus far, only Daniel Ricciardo and Liam Lawson were touted as options to replace the Mexican.

Whilst the reigning constructors' champions have ultimately kept faith in Perez to perform over the final 10 rounds of the year, it has seemingly exposed a lack of trust in the Japanese driver - an assertion Bayer rejects.

“Helmut [Marko] said it himself, in German you say a swallow doesn't make a summer,” the 53-year-old told Autosport.

“What it means is that if Yuki keeps racing on this level consistently, he will be considered for a seat in Red Bull Racing."

Red Bull, and RB, finds itself in the fortunate, yet difficult position of having at least six drivers on its books either already in a full-time drive or deemed worthy of one.

With Lawson also pushing for a seat, Perez's future has only been assured as far as the end of 2024, despite signing a contract extension earlier in the year.

Tsunoda will remain with RB in 2025 - his own option being taken up by the team to secure his immediate future - and with Ricciardo's deal expiring at the end of the season, it is unclear what path Red Bull and RB will ultimately take to resolve its driver conflict.

The sixth driver, Isack Hadjar currently leads the F2 championship. If he wins the title, he will be unable to remain in the series and is expected to take Lawson's reserve role next term.

However, to Bayer, RB and Red Bull are "not in a hurry" to decide its course of action, even with Helmut Marko placing a September deadline on Lawson's future.

The Austrian explains that RB's "mission" is to enable Tsunoda to move through the ranks, whilst suggesting that another season alongside his current team-mate is the default option.

“That's ultimately exactly our mission and the mission we've been given by the shareholders, and if that means that he needs another season next to a very strong Daniel [Ricciardo], that could be an option," Bayer explained.

“It could also be an option [to] say that, okay, we now believe he's ready. So [then] we'll talk to Liam [Lawson]. We're not in a hurry, despite all the people [who] think we are, because we do have all the options in our hands.”